Two Delhi Dynamos footballers to undergo trials at Australian club

New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Delhi Dynamos FC’s footballers Souvik Chakrabarti and Anas Edathodika will undergo trials at the Australian club Central Coast Mariners FC.

Both the Delhi players have become the first football players from the club to participate in a mutually beneficial player development initiative with an A-League side, a release from the franchise said on Friday.

Speaking on the development, Anas, who joined Delhi team last year, said he is keen to impress the Central Coast Mariners staff.

“My last season’s experience in ISL with the Delhi Dynamos was in itself something which was very motivating for me, having played alongside Roberto Carlos, John Arne Riise and Florent Malouda amongst other talented Indian and foreign players. I would like to thank Delhi Dynamos for providing me my first opportunity to train with a foreign club,” Anas said.

“I am back after my injury with the Indian team late last year, and I am looking to impress the Central Coast Mariners staff. I am very optimistic about my chances of being considered for selection in these trials,” he added.

Talking about the trials, assistant coach of the Central Coast Mariners FC John Hutchinson sounded excited at the prospect of assessing Indian players.

“It is very wonderful to have these young Indian players with us. We have put them under a fixed training schedule and they are doing well at it. They are very good professional footballers and the kind of work rate they are putting on the pitch is fantastic,” Hutchinson said.

“It is good for our boys to have a look at them training. They are training very hard and without doubt will gain the necessary experience that they need.”